Gil Baumgartner - Classic Thunderbirds

First, I would like to thank you for the fine tribute to the early Thunderbirds in the last issue of Cars and Parts.

Second, I would like to introduce myself. I am the authenticity chairman for the Classic Thunderbird Club International (CTCI). I have held this position for the past thirty years. During that time I have spent hundreds of hours researching as well as restoring 1955, 1956 & 1957 Thunderbirds. I have numerous hours researching the files at Ford Motor Co.

This brings me to the main reason for this letter. When information appears in publications regarding early Thunderbirds that appear to the reader to not be accurate, I receive email, phone calls and letters for verification. I have received numerous comments regarding the 1956 Thunderbird with the supercharger as well as the 1955 Model with Fairlane Trim.

McCulloch Supercharger Products, Inglewood Ca provided after market kits for all Fords as well as most other vehicles. They were installed on Thunderbirds and passenger cars after delivery to Ford dealers on several 1955/56 Thunderbirds including one owned by Clark Gable.

The 1956 Thunderbird featured in Cars and Parts indicates to the average reader that this particular Thunderbird had a factory installed supercharger. It was not delivered from the factory with the supercharger installed. It was not an experiential car sanctioned by Ford motor company. The supercharger kits were not FoMoCo accessories. They were after market accessories. Some were installed by the dealership or sent to an outside source before delivery to the owner. Absolutely no 1956 Thunderbirds were factory equipped with a supercharger. I am familiar with this car and provided the restorer (Marvin Hill) technical data during the restoration.

Regarding the Fairlane trim on 1955 Thunderbirds, we have knowledge of one 1955 Thunderbird with Fairlane trim installed at the factory for the Ford Division’s General Manager Lewis Crusoe. The trim was not installed on the regular production line. This does not include three pilot model Thunderbirds that were destroyed.

There are currently no less than fifteen 1955 Thunderbirds with Fairlane trim and others currently being built, several of which are claimed by the owner as being factory proto type. This simply is not true.

If I can be of assistance to Cars and Parts authenticating 1955, 1956 or 1957 Thunderbirds as well as their parts and accessories I am available.